“PC-Dmis NC” builds a bridge between the power of CMM metrology software and NC probing technology. This ‘NC Probing Empowerment’ is illustrative of a growing movement in manufacturing relative to metrology and “in-process” quality control.

In a nut shell, here’s how it works. Pc-dmis CAD off-line programming is performed as easy as clicking the mouse on your PC. This program is then down loaded to server where “pc-dmis NC” translates (posts) the measurement program into the CNC Control to create a motion controlled path like a DCC
CMM on your milling machine.(similar to a cutter path). Features, Single points or scanning is possible and once measured the data is fed back to the server to compare the measured data to the CAD model data showing deviation, including how much it is in or out and in which direction in 3D.

Benefits of PC-DMIS CAD based inspection technology in the NC environment.

• Programming – An easy way to create probing programs directly from CAD.
• Efficiently capture measurement results for historical evaluation, reproduction of results, process control.
• Effective for complicated part setup, including the recalculation of work offsets and complex best fit alignments.
• Ideal for “in fixture condition” process evaluation for understanding all aspects of a process.
• Reporting – An efficient way to turn measured data into useful information critical for decision making in the manufacturing process.

Some considerations:

• Quality requirements for any inspection device are to provide documented, traceable calibration results to reduce or eliminate any uncertainty and to prove the device was accurate enough to measure and hold related tolerance call outs.
  
  The fact is, a machine tool can be fully volumetrically calibrated, with a compensation map stored on the PC and corrected data passed onto the application software on the way from the tool to PC-DMIS NC.
  By calibrating a Machine Tool, traceable measurements are achieved.

FAQ

Does this mean that adding Machine Tool probes and measurement software to Machine Tools will cause CMMs to be irrelevant?

We believe that independent measurement devices will continue to be a must for the manufacturing community. For one thing, machine tools are great for cutting metal, but are comparatively slow when it comes to measuring parts. Also, rely on a Machine Tool as CMM and you render it irrelevant as a manufacturing device. It needs to be manufacturing parts, with minimal inspection activity, only as it justifies the investment in time by further cost savings. Where the probe / software combination excels is as a feedback mechanism for various aspects of process control as discussed.

Does it make sense for a small company to implement PC-Dmis NC?

The business decision is based on time savings, better understanding of the manufacturing process, elimination of scrap.